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In our Medical Specialty Series, we’ll highlight the most popular specialties to help you get started as you research residency programs.
Overview:
Neurology is a competitive residency program requiring analytical problem solving skills. Neurology is a specialty that involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or impaired function of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles, autonomic nervous system, and blood vessels that relate to these structures.
Career options as a neurologist can be diverse, from consultative to primary physician, academics to private practice. One can practice general neurology or focus on one of the subspecialties. The specialty is closely linked with psychiatry that can be maintained with a combined certification board.
Residency and Post-Residency Training
Residency training for neurology residency programs consists of 4 years.
Beyond residency, residents can seek advanced training in numerous subspecialties through a 1- year fellowship. Some may be longer depending on the program. You can also combine a fellowship with research, creating a 2-year program.
Career Information:
| Average hours worked per week** | 50.8 |
| Average number weeks of vacation* | 3.3 |
| Average resident/fellow compensation* | $50,622 |
Match Data:
| Residents | July 2012 |
| Total number of active residents/fellows* | 2,051 |
| Average number of residents/fellows | 15.7 |
| Average percent female | 44.9% |
| Average percent international medical graduates | 40.7% |
| General program information | Since July 2013 |
| Number of accredited programs*** | 89 |
| Length of accredited training** | 4 years |
| Match Data*** | |
| Number of positions offered | 361 |
| Number filled by United States seniors | 172 |
| Number filled by U.S. IMG’s | 34 |
| Number filled by Non-U.S. IMG’s | 103 |
| Percent filled by United States seniors | 47.6% |
| Total positions filled | 345 |
| Percent total positions filled | 95.6% |
| Mean USMLE Scores – Matched**** | |
| Step 1 Score (U.S. Seniors/Independents) | 225/224 |
| Step 2 Score (U.S. Seniors/Independents) | 233/227 |
Sources:
*FREIDA Online
** https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/list/us/336846/neurology.html
***NRMP Results and Data: 2013 Main Residency Match http://www.nrmp.org/match-data/main-residency-match-data/
****NRMP 2011 Charting Outcomes http://www.nrmp.org/match-data/main-residency-match-data/
Tips and Resources for Applying for Neurology Residency Program: https://www.aan.com/residents-and-fellows/resident-resources/how-to-apply-for-a-residency/
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All of the opinions expressed here are the author’s and his alone, and do not represent necessarily those of Kaplan or its employees.
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